Pigtronix Introduces Three New Bass Effects Pedals

Pigtronix debuted three new bass-centric effects pedals at NAMM this year: the Bass Fat Drive, the Philosopher Bass Compressor, and the Bass Envelope Phaser. Each is a tweaked version of one their existing products that have been fine-tuned for bassists.

Bass Fat Drive

The Bass Fat Drive features Pigtronix’s CMOS clipping concept and responds by breaking up based on how hard you hit the strings. Its Tone control works so that when turned all the way clockwise, it removes the bass specific low pass filter, and when turned up, it attenuates only the top end to leave midrange and bottom intact. Other controls include a Volume knob, a Gain knob, and a Hi/Lo toggle switch that alters the gain structure for deeper saturation.

Bass Fat Drive Specs:

100% Analog wide range BASS overdrive

Multi-Stage Tube Emulated Clipping

Touch Sensitive Performance

Hi / Lo gain mode switch

Passive LPF Tone Control

True Bypass Switching

18VDC 300mA supply included

Chassis Size = 2.4˝ x 4.4˝ x 1˝

Circuit Design by Howard Davis

Sound Design by David Koltai

Street Price: $149.00

Philosopher Bass Compressor

Based on the company’s Philosopher’s Tone circuit, the Philosopher Bass Compressor offers Volume, Sustain, and Compression controls for dialing in the amount of compression. The Compression blend knob mixes clean tone in parallel with the optical compression, which Pigtronix states is “more effective than a typical compressor’s ‘attack’ control for preserving your natural string envelope to achieve transparent and musical results.” It also sports a GRIT switch that brings in harmonic distortion tuned especially for low frequencies.

Philosopher Bass Compressor Specs:

Analog Optical Compressor

Blend knob for Parallel Compression

GRIT switch for harmonic grind

Tuned for Bass Guitar

Noiseless clean sustain

18VDC 300mA supply included

Chassis Size – 2.4˝ x 4.4˝ x 1˝

Circuit Design by Howard Davis

Sound Design by David Koltai

True Bypass

Street Price: $169.00

Bass Envelope Phaser

The Bass Envelope Phaser is a compact, bass-oriented version of Pigtronix’s flagship Envelope Phaser pedal. The new model includes its predecessor’s staccato envelope circuit, which automatically closes the envelope between notes, resulting in increased articulation for speedy fingerstyle or slap bass. Its set up for simplicity with Sensitivity and Resonance knobs to dial in your sound as well as an Up/Down switch for toggling the direction of the modulation.

Bass Envelope Phaser Specs:

Envelope Controlled Phasing

Fine Tuned for Bass Guitar

Up / Down direction switch

High Speed Staccato Envelope

18VDC 300mA supply included

Chassis Size – 2.4˝ x 4.4˝ x 1˝

Circuit Design by Howard Davis

Sound Design by David Koltai

True Bypass

Street Price: 199.00

The Pigtronix Bass Fat Drive, Philosopher Bass Compressor, and Bass Envelope Phaser pedals are all handmade in Long Island, USA. They’re due to ship mid-March. For more info, visit the Pigtronix website.